Secrets of the New World (Infini Calendar) (Volume 2) Read Free Page B

rightfully so. “My name is Frederick William III. It is an honor to meet you, your Excellency.”
    “Hold your head up high, young prince,” Leopold said. “You are heir to the Prussian throne, and in a few years we will be on even footing.” There was none of the annoyance he usually displayed when addressing Farahilde. “I would like to establish an amicable relationship with you while we have the time.”
    “So you just want to lick his boots,” Farahilde said casually, without meeting her brother’s gaze.
    “Hold your tongue, sister, or instead of going to America with us, you will spend the trip in a dark cell somewhere.”
    “All right, all right,” she conceded. She still had no desire to go on the voyage, but it was much better than the alternative he had just proposed. She had little doubt he would carry out his threat if she continued to provoke him.
    Leopold returned his attention to Frederick. “I apologize for my younger sister. She is greatly in need of manners. Perhaps you will be the one to tame her.”
    Like hell .
    “Not at all,” Frederick said, surprising her somewhat. “Farahilde’s free spirit is, in fact, refreshing. She is certainly more interesting than myself.”
    She wasn’t sure if she had just received a compliment or an insult. She supposed it all depended on Frederick’s definition of interesting . Leopold, for his part, had already formed an opinion on the matter, and said, “Being interesting is not necessary for a ruler. To lead a country, you need and discipline and flexibility, both of which my sister completely lacks. But having just met you, Frederick, I can already see that you are well on your way to become a fine ruler.”
    “Thank you.”
    “Farahilde, show the young prince to his room.”
    Frederick bowed again to Leopold, and he left the room with Farahilde. As they walked through the grand hallway, he said, “Your brother has great air about him.”
    “What’s that supposed to mean?” she asked.
    “Well, it’s just…he projects authority and years of experience leading his country. I hope to one day be like him.”
    “If you ever become like him, I will kill you.”
    “Do you dislike him that much?” The level of fear and surprise he was showing at her remarks was becoming increasingly low. Was he already getting used to her personality?
    “He treats me like a child. He refuses to acknowledge all I’ve done for this country.”
    He looked at the paintings along the wall. “My father has often said there are right things to do, and right ways to do them. This is just speculation on my part, but perhaps your brother disapproves of the methods you employed to serve Austria.”
    She suddenly stopped and stared him down. “Look, boy ,” she said angrily. “Sometimes you don’t have the luxury of knocking at a despot’s front door and politely asking him to not to invade your country or fire lightning bolts at it. You have a decision to make, and you make it quickly. Regardless of what my brother says, that is the most important quality a leader must have.”
    The fear was back in full force, and it showed prominently on his face. “I-I understand.”
    “Do you?” she asked skeptically.
    He nodded slowly. “I wasn’t trying to judge you. As I said, it doesn’t matter what you’ve done. I was simply speculating on how your brother might view your actions. A ruler thinks very differently than his subordinates.”
    “Hmph. Just as long as we’re clear.” She continued walking, with Frederick lagging a few feet behind.”
    She thought about all the time she was going to have to spend with him, and her spirits sank to the bottom of the sea. Welcome to Hell .

Chapter III: Leaving Home
     
     
     
     
    The port of Vienna, November 6, 1792 (Infini Calendar), 8:00 a.m.
    Farahilde, Leopold, Frederick, and a full contingent of guards gathered at the port in preparation to leave for America.
    They were to take the royal ship, the Hapsburg Pride .